Prospect Info: 2023-24 Prospect Thread
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Skip To My Lou
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No wonder we're always near the bottom of the prospect rankings!
BarzyClub
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- Jan 17, 2018
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Lou mentioned in his presser that Tikkanen will be one of 7 goalies in camp.
3 pre-season games in the first week. That 7 goalie count will be trimmed by September 29th.
We don't own his rights anymore so I'm not considering him a prospect. Probably just a try-out in the rookie camp.
Kevin27NYI
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- Aug 5, 2009
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Well, the Isles had already declined his rights before he even came over last season, when he was with the club on a two-way AHL/ECHL deal.
Something tells me he's still in the organizational plans. He's still just 22.
18-17-3 and .914 SV% last season for Worcester.
Who's getting excited?
I find info on him interesting because there was absolutely nothing about him throughout the offseason and his destination for this upcoming season wasn't even listed at eliteprospects. Considering the organization has five goalies under contract for three teams, his uncertain whereabouts raised curiosity.
I must suggest a caveat here with respect to guys who "just" play in the ECHL. Goalies are different. The ECHL serves as a spot for playing time. There are only so many minutes to hand out in the pro ranks. For a goalie, simply playing and seeing pucks (and hopefully a lot) is extremely important. And the added bonus of the ECHL is that team defense is generally quite lacking, so a goalie is subjected to a whole lot of precarious situations to weather through.
I did see this guy play for MoDo the season before and he had some very strong outings, so I would have been surprised if he just wasn't in the scene anymore.
BarzyClub
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I like that Lou has “ dangled the carrot” for Skarek ( and to a lesser extent, Lennox) for that 2B goalie spot behind Varly.
They’re going to need the backup to play 25-30 games in order to give Sorokin a rest. I don’t think Lou believes that the 35 yr old Varly is a lock to do that. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Skarek get in 5 games or so with the big club. That should lead to a more focused, consistent and motivated Skarek this year.
They’re going to need the backup to play 25-30 games in order to give Sorokin a rest. I don’t think Lou believes that the 35 yr old Varly is a lock to do that. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Skarek get in 5 games or so with the big club. That should lead to a more focused, consistent and motivated Skarek this year.
No roster yet for the camp that opens today, eh?
***
Dunno if you guys saw this article yet: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-y...-iskhakov-maggio-george-nelson-odelius-liukas
Just for clarity, the following is written about Liukas and it's contrary to my info:
>>>
Liukas is expected to play for Bridgeport this season after scoring 14 goals with nine assists in 58 games with HPK Hameenlinna.
<<<
He's on loan to HPK and scheduled to play Liiga this year.
In fact, I think there's a technicality in the NHL's agreement with European leagues (or directly with Finland's ice hockey association) that prohibits Liukas from coming over already this season.
***
Dunno if you guys saw this article yet: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-y...-iskhakov-maggio-george-nelson-odelius-liukas
Just for clarity, the following is written about Liukas and it's contrary to my info:
>>>
Liukas is expected to play for Bridgeport this season after scoring 14 goals with nine assists in 58 games with HPK Hameenlinna.
<<<
He's on loan to HPK and scheduled to play Liiga this year.
In fact, I think there's a technicality in the NHL's agreement with European leagues (or directly with Finland's ice hockey association) that prohibits Liukas from coming over already this season.
Not sure I'm following here?
As for Lennox, let's see him outshine Appleby and perhaps Tikkanen first. We can't forget that not only is it Lennox's first season out of juniors, but that he missed an ENTIRE season due to the pandemic and then was only a back-up the season thereafter.
Oh goodness, I think it's clear as day that they fully expect Varlamov to get in 30-35 games this season. In fact, he's now signed for what, 3 years? Or was it 4?
I don't think any organizational goalies have been given a carrot of any sort.
If anything, they've been shown that they can marinate until further notice.
BarzyClub
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Yup, 4 years… that deal had more to do with Sorokin than it did Varly. They want to keep Varly around (in any capacity )for as long as they can of it makes Sorokin happy.
Varly seems to have some nagging injury at some point each season. At his age, trying to stay limber and in shape and not playing all that much can become an issue.
Also, now that Schneider is out of the picture, Skarek knows he’s next man up which is even more motivating for him. No distractions/obstacles now for Skarek.
In general, I like the competition Lou’s created amongst Bridgeport and the older vets on the big club.
Agree about Lennox ,he needs time .
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leeroggy
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Ahhh, you're basically saying that Skarek doesn't have Schneider in front of him anymore and ipso facto, he can head into the season feeling like he really could be next on the totem pole if one of our Russians goes down?
He certainly would look like goaltender #3 at the pro level right now.
Sure hope someone steps up to the plate. Losing Schneider is pretty in light of the stats the others have put up in recent years. It could really become the achilles heel of the farm team.
BarzyClub
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I’m very curious to see what the change in coach does for the overall d and the netminders in BPT.
It was mind-boggling to me how the baby Isles have been so bad defensively over the last few years considering Lou preaches defense.
doublechili
For all intensive purposes, your nuts
- Apr 11, 2006
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FWIW, almost to a man the players who had any NHL time last year had better +/- in the NHL than they did in the AHL (going by recollection though). So maybe they can play NHL defense, just not AHL defense.
The Real JT
Draft and develop. UFAs like no taxes/original 6
Skarek will be 24 years old shortly after the season starts and it’s been 5 years since he was drafted.
He’s done absolutely nothing to suspect he’s a viable candidate to be a backup NHL goalie. In fact, he was below average in the AHL last year and arguably took a step backwards.
Goalies have up and down years so anything’s possible I suppose. I’m not betting on it.
He’s done absolutely nothing to suspect he’s a viable candidate to be a backup NHL goalie. In fact, he was below average in the AHL last year and arguably took a step backwards.
Goalies have up and down years so anything’s possible I suppose. I’m not betting on it.
A new era, now that Thompson is out west.
There were a few nights there - perhaps a good dozen - where goaltending did them in.
But to be honest, Helgeson and LaDue are the big vets, both with their weaknesses. Then Cholowski, Hutton and Salo slide in with a fair portion of AHL experience. Sevigny will enter his sophomore season. Mitchell and Fulp are certainly not young, but first-year pros. Krygier is only older than Sevigny, but also a first-year guy.
With Skarek yet to post a GAA close to 3.00 (much less lower) and Lennox a pure pro rookie who could easily find himself in Worcester, gotta say that the team is looking very much like a squad that will allow quite a few goals against.
leeroggy
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And right on cue . . .
nypost.com
William Dufour shows off skating skills Islanders rookie camp
When William Dufour sat down with his trainer at the start of the summer, one item was at the top of the agenda.
nypost.com
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